Orange Trees | Fred Weasley

Chapter Eleven

August 31st, 1994

The morning sun had just crested over the horizon, casting a warm, golden hue across the garden behind the Diggory cottage. The delicate petals of Jericho's mother's prized flowers glistened with morning dew, creating a picture-perfect scene that would have made any gardener proud. But amidst this idyllic setting lounged Jojo, Jericho's cat, unapologetically nestled in the flower bushes. Jericho's mother despised this habit, always scolding Jojo for her reckless disregard for the carefully tended plants. And always blaming Jericho for not keeping an eye on his cat. The feline, nevertheless, remained indifferent, finding the cool shade and the soft petals too enticing to resist.

Jojo was in the midst of her morning grooming, meticulously licking her paws and smoothing her fur. Each movement was deliberate, a ritual she performed with an air of regal nonchalance. The garden buzzed with the sounds of early morning - birds chirping, insects humming, and the gentle rustle of leaves as the wind danced through the trees. The scent of earth and blossoms filled the air, a fragrant reminder of summer's lingering presence.

Just then, the backdoor creaked open, and Jericho stepped out. Jojo's ears perked up, her sharp eyes immediately noticing the shoes on his feet - a sure sign that he was planning to venture beyond the familiar bounds of his family's territory. Intrigued, Jojo stretched luxuriously, arching her back and extending her claws into the soft soil before trailing behind him with a silent grace.

Jericho moved with a quiet, almost absent-minded determination. His fingers picked at his lip, a telltale sign that his mind was preoccupied with thoughts far away from the garden's tranquility. The other held the strap of his satchel tightly, almost as if it was going to fly away. He walked with a slight hunch, like the weight of his contemplations pressed down upon him. Jojo observed him with a mix of curiosity and concern, her big eyes glinting in the sunlight. She let out a soft meow, a gentle reminder of her presence.

He paused, glancing down to see his loyal companion. A small smile broke through his strained expression, and he crouched to pet Jojo, his fingers lightly scratching behind her ears. "Good morning," he murmured, his voice carrying a warmth that belied his earlier solemnity. "You always know when to find me, don't you?"

The cat purred in response, leaning into his touch. She sensed the undercurrent of unease in him, an unspoken tension that hinted at deeper worries. But for now, she was content to be by his side, offering the silent comfort that only a quick scratch can fix.

The two continued their slow march through the backyard, Jericho lost in thought, and Jojo ever watchful. The morning unfolded around them, the sun climbing higher in the sky, casting longer shadows and bathing the world in a brighter, more prominent llight. The day held promise and uncertainty in equal measure, a reflection of the shifting seasons and the changes they brought to both nature and human emotions.

The boy's footsteps led them to the edge of his cottage's land, where the carefully cultivated rows of flowers gave way to the wilder, untamed expanse of the countryside. He hesitated, casting one last look back at the familiar comfort of home before pushing himself for the day ahead. Jojo, sensing his anxiety, meowed once more - a final encouragement as they crossed the threshold toward the orange tree.

The pair continued their leisurely stroll through the countryside, making their way to the orange tree where Fred had promised to meet them. The sun, now fully risen, cast a warm glow over the fields, and the gentle rustling of leaves filled the air with a soft, whispering melody. The path was familiar, walked many times before, but today felt different - charged with a sense of anticipation and nervous excitement.

Jericho, unable to keep his thoughts contained, spoke up. "Fred is coming with me into town today, Jojo." he began, his voice betraying a hint of nervousness. "I really hope everything goes well. I mean, what if he gets bored? Or what if his family starts to hate me for hogging all of his time? What if he ends up regretting coming along?"